Today's much anticipated release of economic data including the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and the Fed's preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) all painted the picture of a goldilocks scenario. Inflation is abating, wages and labor market conditions are cooling, while the economy continues to grow, and spending remains resilient.
The discretionary sector struggled as did all growth and quality-oriented areas of the market in 2022. That was a classic re-set and a raging opportunity to add exposure.
The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly survey of purchasing managers came in below expectations for August, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report indicated that nonfarm payrolls expanded by only 142,000 jobs during the month (against expectations of 161,000 jobs).